Regenerative Endodontics

¬Regeneration is the process of renewal, restoration, and growth that makes genomes, cells, organisms, and ecosystems resilient to natural fluctuations or events that cause disturbance or damage1. Every species is capable of regeneration, from bacteria to humans.2,3Regeneration can either be complete where the new tissue is the same as the lost tissue or incomplete where after the necrotic tissue come fibrosis.4,5,8 At its most elementary level, regeneration is mediated by the molecular processes of DNA synthesis.5,6There is a subtle distinction between repair and regeneration.8,9,10 Repair means incomplete regeneration.9Repair or incomplete regeneration, refers to the physiologic adaptation of an organ after injury in an effort to re-establish continuity without regards to exact replacement of lost/damaged tissue.9True tissue regeneration or complete regeneration, refers to the replacement of lost/damaged tissue with an 'exact' copy, such that both morphology and functionality are completely restored.9,10Regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) have been defined as biologically-based procedures designed to replace damaged structures.